Social Connectedness: A Bibliometric Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18050/psiquemag.v13i2.3104Keywords:
Social Connectedness, Bibliometric Analysis, Productivity, Collaboration, Topic AnalysisAbstract
This study explores the scientific production on social connectedness (SC) through a bibliometric analysis of 94 articles obtained from the SCOPUS, Dialnet, and SciELO databases. SC is defined as a sense of belonging and closeness in interpersonal relationships, developed through internalized social experiences across various contexts. These studies examine productivity by author, researcher collaboration, research topics, and the geographic distribution of publications.
The results indicate an increase in SC research since 2016, peaking in 2022, possibly linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened attention to SC as a response to social isolation. Research is led by authors from the United States, with less participation from Australia and Europe, while Latin America shows scarce representation, revealing a regional gap in scientific production.
SC is mainly associated with mental health and psychological well-being, while other areas, such as cognitive development and cultural differences, are less explored. Methodologically, half of the studies are correlational, with few experimental and longitudinal designs, limiting the understanding of SC's causal effects. It is concluded that the field requires greater methodological diversity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and regional representation to further explore the mechanisms underpinning SC and its impact on health and well-being across diverse contexts.
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